Parking meter



Feb. 14, 1939. J w BULLOCK ET AL 2,147,520

PARKING METER Filed Jan. 8, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 14, 1939. w BULLOCK ET AL 2,147,520

PARKING METER Filed Jan. 8, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheei 2" Feb- 14, 1939- J. w. BULLOCK ET AL PARKING METER Filed Jan. 8, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 (70k% fiCBzzZZacii v (Zarawce 73877672262252 Feb. 14, 1939; J, w BULLOCK ET AL 2,147,520

\PARKING METER Filed J an. 8, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 (70%72 WTBZZZZOCK w- Patented Feb. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PARKING METER John W. Bullock, Miami, and Clarence W. Clementz, Jacksonville, Fla., assignors, by meme llsignments, to said John W. Bullock Application January 8. 1937, Serial No. 119,698

19 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved parking meter of the non-locking type for registering the time a vehicle .uses a parking space or the like.

An important object of the invention consists in associating with the meter indicating means, a coin controlled mechanism which upon the depositing of a coin of the proper denomination, initiates the operation of the indicating means to register the duration a vehicle is parked in a prescribed area.

A further object consists in providing the meter with a main indicator and an auxiliary indicator, and associating with the indicators means for restoring the same to their initial conditions at any time within a predetermined period. Additionally, the main indicator has associated therewith, means for returning the same to its original or zero position at the expiration of the predetermined period and for permitting the continued operation of the auxiliary indicator to register the overparking period a vehicle uses the parking space. Means are also provided to return the auxiliary indicator to its starting position upon the depositing of coin of the proper denomination into the meter, as indicated by the position of the auxiliary indicator.

A further object comprehends the provision of means associated with the meter to return the auxiliary indicator to its initial condition in the event a vehicle which has been overparked leaves without payment of the proper fee or fine.

Another object consists in operatively associating with the auxiliary indicator, spaced revoluble members arranged to be operatively connected or locked by a coin whereby upon the manual actuation of one of the members when a coin of the proper denomination is inserted between the members to cause the simultaneous movement of the members and the return of the auxiliary indicator to its initial position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying claims and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, in which is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a front face view of the meter;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 4;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a. detailed sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view taken sub- 5 stantially along the line 1-1 of Figure 3; s

Figure 8 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a detailed view of the main indicator and the auxiliary indicator;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line l0l0 of Figure 9, and

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing the auxiliary indicator in a registering position and the main indicator at 'zero. 15

Referring to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts in the several views, ll designates the casing of the meter which may be supported by a standard or post l2 conveniently positioned on the pavement adjacent the parking space with which the meter is to be associated. The casing which may be of any suitable size and shape, has housed therein, a clock or time mechanism frame l3 and a meter supporting frame M. The front plate or face l5 of the clock frame constitutes a bearing for the time or hour shaft l6 which is connected to a spring motor or the like of the clock, not shown, so as to be continuously operated. A gear I! has its hub l8 fastened to the shaft IS in any suitable manner, such as by the pin l8 (Figure 4) and is constantly in mesh with a gear fastened to a. shaft 2!. The shaft 2i has one of its ends journalled in the plate l5 and has its opposite end journalled in the front plate 22 of the frame H. The shaft 2| also extends through a plate. 23 positioned between the plates i5 and 22 and which is of the configuration shown in Figure 6. The front plate 22 of the meter frame is connected to the forward wall 34 of the casing II by the spaced brackets 24 to which are secured the threaded bolts 25 by the nuts 26. The bolts 25 extend through the cross plates [5, 22 and 23 so as to firmly but detachably connect the parts of the clock frame and the meter frame to each other and to the casing.

The hub l8 of the gear I! is provided with a clutch member 21 arranged to coact with a complementary clutch member 28 on the hub 29 which extends from one side of the disk 30 that is mounted on the meter shaft 3|. The inner end of the shaft 3| extends within the hub I8 while its opposite end has secured thereto, a main indicator 32 and may thrust against a plate 33 on the front wall 34 of the casing. The plates 22 and 23 constitute bearing supports for the meter shaft 3! to maintain the shaft substantially in axial alignment with the time shaft IS.

The disk has a hub or sleeve extending from the side opposite the hub 29 and is provided with an elongated slot 36 to receive a pin 31 on the shaft 3| for securing the disk 30 to the shaft but permitting its axial movement relative thereto. A combined compression and torsional spring 38 has one end thereof secured to the disk 30 and its opposite end connected to the plate 23 so as normally to urge the clutch member 28 towards its complementary clutch member 2?.

A disk 39 is fastened to an axially movable shaft 40 by the pin M and has a segmental extension 32 (Figure 5) which overlaps the disk 30 and is also provided with a cam 63 arranged, when moved into engagement with the disk 39, to impart an axial movement to the clutch member 28 away from the clutch member 27. Associated with the disk 80 is a balanced bar dd fastened to the shaft 35 by the pin 46. The shaft d5 has its ends journalled as at t? in the plates 55 and 22 (Figure 3). The balanced bar dd has depending therefrom, an arm or finger d8 which normally extends into the path of the disk 38 to maintain the clutch member 28 out of engagement with its complementary clutch memoer 2? on the continuously operating time shaft 66. A stop 69 positioned adjacent one end of the bar dd acts to normally maintain the bar in a substantially horizontal position. The opposite end of the bar extends beneath the discharge end of a coin chute 58 that has its opposite end terminating at the side wall SI of the casing it (Figure 2). Thus, it will be seen that upon the insertion of a coin of the proper denomination into the chute 5B the balanced bar 5 3 will be tripped, causing the arm 38 to be moved out of the path of the disk 36, whereupon the spring 38 moves the clutch member 28 axially into engagement with its complementary clutch member 2? on the time shaft 56 to cause the rotation of the indicator 32 in a clockwise direction from its initial or zero position.

The shaft 50 adjacent its inner end has fastened thereon a collar 52, which is provided with a tapered face ll) arranged normally to engage a complementary tapered portion on a fixed member 53 carried by the plate i5, and through which the shaft 30 extends. The collar 52 has an outwardly extending arm 6 l which terminates in a laterally disposed end or bent portion 52', which engages the member 53 when the parts are in their normal position. The outer end of the shaft 40 carries a knob 54 for effecting its manual rotation. It will be seen that upon the turning of the knob 54 in a clockwise direction, the tapered surface 40' of the collar 52 moves away from its complementary tapered surface on the fixed member 53 so as to engage the vertical face of the fixed member and thus impart an axial movement to the shaft 40. At the same time, the end 52' of the collar is moved away from the member 53. Conversely when the shaft 60 is rotated in an opposite direction, the tapered surface or face d0 will move to engage its complementary tapered surface on the member 53, and this return movement will be limited by reason of the engagement of the bent end 52 of the collar with the member or stop 53. A series of spaced disks or members 55, 56, 57 and 58 are fastened or otherwise rigidly connected to the shaft 40 for a purpose which will subsequently be described. A combined torsional and compression spring 59 secured at one end to the disk 58 and at its opposite end to the plate 22, acts when the shaft is rotated in a clockwise direction by the knob 54 to build up energy so that when the knob is released, it will move the shaft 40 and its associated parts in an opposite direction.

As shown in Figure 4, the clutch 28 is out of engagement with its complementary clutch ,member 21 and is maintained in this position by reason of the engagement of arm 48 with the side of the disk 30 (Figure 3). When the balance bar 44 is tripped by a coin, the arm 48 is raised to ride on the surface of the disk 38 while the tension of the spring 38 forces the clutch member 28 into engagement with the clutch member 21 to effect the rotation of the meter shaft 3| and the main indicator 32 through their connection with the time shaft it. At the same time the disk 30 is brought into engagement with the extension d2 of the disk 39. When the parts are in this position, rotation of the shaft 69 by operation of the knob 56 in a clockwise direction, moves the disk 39 axially to the right (Figure 4) causing the disk 30 and its associated parts to be moved in the same direction and thus disengages the clutch member 28 from the clutch member Bl so as to disconnect the meter shaft 3! from the time shaft it. When the disk 36 has been moved a sufficient distance away from the gear H, the arm 38, which is now riding the surface of the disk 38, drops to overlap one side of the disk 38 and to maintain the clutch 28 in its disengaged position. This movement of the arm 38 returns the balance bar M to its normal horizontal position. The main indicator 32, which is connected to the shaft Si is likewise returned to its, zero position due to the counterclockwise rotation of the disk 30 by the tension built up in the spring 38.

Revolubly mounted on the meter shaft 38 is a gear 69 in mesh with a gear 68 fastened by the pin 62 to the shaft 29 so as to be continuously driven through the gears H and '26 by the time shaft it. A member 63 in the form of a bracket (Figure 3) is secured at one end as at 66 to the plate 22 and is provided with a bent arm portion or finger 55 which lightly bears against the outer side of the gear Bil to maintain the latter in a relatively fixed axial position. The hub 66 of the gear 60 has teeth tl arranged to mesh with complementary teeth 58 on an axially movable sleeve or tubular member 69 which is revolubly mounted on the shaft 3!. The outer end of the sleeve 69 extends through the plate 22 and has secured thereto an auxiliary indicator 10 which coacts with the main indicator 32 to register the time a vehicle is using the parking space associated with the meter. The sleeve 59 has a series of spaced disks or plate members H, l2, l3 and it, spaced from their complementary disk members on the shaft 40 and which are arranged to be connected thereto by a coin of the proper denomination in the manner as will be subsequently described. A combined torsional and compression spring 15 is fastened at one end to the disk l4 and has its opposite extremity secured to the plate 22 normally to move the teeth 68 towards the teeth 61 and also to rotate the disks l 9, l2, l3 and 14 to return them to their initial positions when moved away therefrom. The disk H has a laterally projecting cam 76 (Figure 3) movable into engagement with the arm 85 of the bracket 63 to maintain the clutch member 68 out of engagement withthe clutch member 61. The disk H is also provided with a segmental .the discharge of a coin from the space between these disks. The disk I2 also has a segmental cam surface 18 (Figure 7) which coacts with a member 88 on the disk "and adjacent the disks 7 l8 and 51 for controlling the discharge of a coin between these disks. Likewise, the disk I8 has a segmental cam surface 8| (Figure 8) which coacts with a member 82 on the disk 51 and near disks 58 and I4 forcontrolling the dlschargeof a coin between these disks. A bushing 88 fastened to the plate 22 (Figure 4) receives a revoluble member or shaft 84 which at its inner end, car-- ries a disk 85 having a laterally offset cam surface 86 (Figure 8) arranged to bear against the disk 14 for the purpose of constituting additional means for moving the clutch member 68 away from its complementary clutch member 81. A housing 81 extends through the outer face 84 of the casing and is provided with a key hole slot 88 for receiving a key which fits into a slot 88' in the head of the shaft 84 for the purpose of rotating the disk 85 to effect the disengagement of the clutch members 61 and 68. A spring 88' connected to the disk 85 and to the bracket 68 acts to return the shaft 84 to its original position when the key is released therefrom.

The disk 88 is provided with a cut-out portion 88 (Figure 5) which receives a rubber stop or other suitable cushioning member 88 carried by a bolt 8| threaded to the plate 28 (Figure 3) to limit the rotative movement of the disk 88. The side 5| of the casing (Figure 2), in addition to providing an entrance for a coin being deposited in the chute 58, may also be formed with a series of openings which separately communicate with the chutes 82, 83 and 84, for conducting. coins of different denominations to the spaces formed between the disks on the sleeve 68 and the disks on the shaft 48. The main indicator 82 (Figure 10) is provided with a stud 85 positioned to one side of the auxiliary indicator [8 so that upon the movement of the main indicator from its initial or zero position by the connection of the meter shaft 8| with the time shaft l6, .to

cause the auxiliary indicator to be moved therewith. 'I'he main indicator 32 also carries a spring hook member 86 having an angularly bent portion 81 arranged to project into the path of the auxiliary indicator I8 so that upon the main indicator 38 being moved in a counter-clockwise direction, to mc'ive the auxiliary member l8therewith. When the sleeve 68, which carries the auxiliary indicator 18, is moved axially inward to its normal or zero position without affecting the' cause the teeth 68 to mesh with the teeth 61, the auxiliary indicator 18 carried by the sleeve 68 is likewise moved so as to clear the bent portion 81 of the member 86. 'I'hus-,'means are provided to permit the main indicator 32 to be returned to advancing movement of the auxiliary indicator 18. Further, the auxiliary indicator 18, which is now being driven by the time shaft l6 through the connection of the gears 61 and 68, will continue to register the duration the meter is in operation without being interrupted. As the auxiliary indicator I8 is carried in its return movement by the sleeve 68, it will first be brought in engagement with the tapered 'side 81 of the spring hook 86 and then will ride past the same so as to assume the position shown in Figure 10.

The front face 84 of the casing has a window 88 (Figure 1) behind which is positioned a dial cate any other periods of time as may be desired.

To operate the meter, we may assume the parts are in their disengaged or inoperative positions (Figure 3). To arrive at this position, the sleeve 68 has been previously moved outwardly so that the pin 85 on the main indicator 82 engages one side of the auxiliary indicator I8 and these indicators are now in their initial or zero positions and overlap one another as shown in Figure 2. The gear carrying the clutch member 21 and the gear 66 carrying the clutch member 66 are being continuously driven by the time shaft l6 throughthe gears 28 and 6| but the movement of these parts will not be transmitted to the meter shaft 8| or the sleeve 68 since the arm 48 now engages the disk 88 and the cam I6 is moved to engage the arm 65 so that the movable clutch members 28 and 68 are free from engagement with their complementary clutch members 21 and 68 respectively.

When a vehicle is parked in the parking space associated with the meter, the driver initiates the operationof the meter by depositing a five cent piece in the slot 58 which causes the balance bar 44 to be tripped, thus releasing the engagement of the arm 48 with the disk 88, whereupon the spring 88 forces the clutch member 28-into engagement with its complementary clutch member 21 to effect a direct driving connection between the meter shaft 8| and the time shaft l6. Immediately, the main indiator 82 starts to move from its initial or zero position in a clockwise direction and carries with it, the auxiliary indicator '18, due to the engagement of the pin 85 with the latter. It will be noted that duringthis movement, the clutch 68 is moved out of engagement with the clutch member 61 by reason of the fact that the cam 16 on the disk H is now positioned in' engagement with the arm 65 of the bracket to prevent the sleeve 68 from being driven by the time shaft l6. The movement of the auxiliary indicator 18 with the main indicator causes the sleeve 68 to rotate and builds up energy in the spring 15 so as to return the parts to their nor mal positions when the shaft 8| is released from the shaft l6. During the initial driving operation of the meter shaft 8|, the cam 48 on the extension 42 of the disk 88 extends within the recess 88, thus allowing the extension 42 to be moved close to the disk 38. As the disk 88 rotates in a clockwise direction, the recess portion 88 will not move away from the cam 43 until the expiration of a period of thirty minutes, at which time the upper adjacent edge of the disk 88 will be moved into engagement with the relatively fixed cam 48, thus causing the axial movement of the latter and the disengagement of the clutch 28 from the clutch 21. I

Should the driver or operator at any time within a half an hour after the vehicle is parked, remove the same from the parking space, he will see upon inspection of the dial 88 that the indicators are within the portion 88 and that his returns the indicators to their initial positions and disengages the clutch member 28 from the clutch member 21 to render the meter shaft inoperative. When the time shaft I6 is initially connected to the meter shaft 3|, the disk 30 is moved into abutting engagement'with the extension 42 of the disk 39 and will remain in this position for a period of thirty minutes. sequently, the rotation of the shaft Ml by the actuation of the knob 54 causes the cam 5'2 to ride on the cam 53, thus moving the shaft 40 axially, which in turn moves the disk 3t and its associated parts in the same direction, to disengage clutch member 28 from the clutch member Zl. As the disk at has been previously rotated in a clockwise direction due to the connection of the shaft 35 with the shaft t6, the tension built up in the spring 35 will cause the disk 3b and its associated parts to be'rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to return them to their initial positions (Figure 6). The rubber stop 96 acts to cushion and limit the return movement of the disk 363 and is associated with the recess at to permit the disk 3b to be rotated in a clockwise direction for a period of two hours. Thus, it will be seen that for the first half hour of parking, the meter will operate upon the depositing of a coin of the proper denomination in the slot at and that the parts may be returned to their initial conditions upon the actuation of the knob 56 at any time within this period. Further, during the operation of the shaft 33, the sleeve 69 is disconnected fromthe timeshait and is rotated by reason of the connection of the auxiliary indicator it with the main indicator 32 through the pin 95. As the axial movement of the disk 3b frees the arm it, the latter will drop to one side of this their and the balance bar it will be returned to its normal horizontal position to maintain the clutch member 26 disengaged from its complementary clutch member 2i until the balance bar is again released by the depositing of the proper coin in the chute lid lowed period, in the present instance, thirty minutes, the main indicator 32 will be, at the expiration of this period, automatically returned to its initial position without affecting the advanced position of the auxiliary indicator it, by virtue ofthe fact that after the meter has been operated for thirty minutes, the cam t3, on the disk til is moved to engage the disk 3b and moves the latter axially to efiect disengagement of the clutch member 28 with its complementary clutch member 27. At the same time, the cam it on the disk H is moved out of engagement with the arm $5. The main indicator 32 on the shaft it during the allowed parlnng period drives the auxiliary indicator is through the pin 95; when this period has expired, the main indicator returns to itsnormal position, and the auxiliary indicator it fixed to the sleeve GE is operatively connected to the time shaft l6 through the connection of the clutch member 68 on the sleeve 69 with the clutch member 8? on Conthe auxiliary indicator l0 and its associated parts. It might be mentioned "that the cam 43 on the disk 38 and the cam 16 on the disk 1| are so co-related either by an advance of time or an elapse of time to cause the engagement of the clutch member 69 with the clutch member G1 substantially immediately upon the slipping oil of the cam l6 from the arm and the engagement of the cam 43 with the disk 38.

When a vehicle is overparked, it will be necessary to deposit a coin in one of the chutes 92, 93 or 94 of the proper denomination, depending upon the duration the vehicle remains in the parking space, in order to return the auxiliary indicator to its original condition and disconnect the sleeve 69 from the shaft it. Thus, assuming that the car is parked over a half an hour and less than an hour, the auxiliary indicator will then be moved to register with the portion ml of the dial plate 99 (Figure 2) which indicates that a ten cent piece must be inserted in the propercoin slot to render the meter inoperative and restore the parts to their initial conditions. Upon a ten cent piece 0 being inserted in the chute or passage 92, it will fall between the spaced disks 55, 56 and ill and it so as to assume the dotted line position shown in Figure 6 and will constitute a lock for connecting the shaft it with the sleeve til. In the meantime, the cam ill on the disk it and the member it on the disk 55 have been moved by rotation of their respective disks to prevent the ten cent piece from falling between the disks to a coin box positioned in the bottom of the meter, thus, the coin will be maintained between these disks and upon the rotation of the shaft it by the actuating of the knob 56, the axial movement imparted to the shaft by the earns 52 and 53 will cause the sleeve as to be moved axially to disengage the clutch member 553 from its complementary clutch member till, and disconnect the sleeve 69 from the time shaft it. At the same time, the energy stored in the springs be and it will cause the shaft ill and the sleeve b9 as well as their-associated parts to be moved counterclockwise to their initial positions. This movement may be arrested by a lug 32 on the disk ll which is moved into abutting engagement with a rubber stop mil carried by the shaft 535 (Figure 3).

The axial movement of the sleeve St for effecting disengagement of the clutch 63 from the clutch til also acts to offset the disks relativeto the chutes 92, 93 and 96, so that the chutes are positioned over the spaces between the disks and thus constitute stops which prevent the lifting of the coin out of the space between the disks when the latter are returned to their initial positions by the tension of the springs 59 and i5 respectively. The return movement of the disks also causes the cam El and member 18 to .move away from the coin to permit the latter to be discharged into the coin box.

Should the car remain overparked for a period between sixty minutes and ninety minutes, the auxiliary indicator will be moved to register with the-portion 884 of the dial 99 which will indicate that a twenty-five cent piece must be deposited in the meter to render the same inoperative. Upon a coin of the proper denomination being inserted in the chute b3, it will be carried between the bars of the disks 5%, 5i and i2 and i3 and its downward movement is arrested when it is brought into engagement with the cam 19 and the member 89 (Figure 7) The rotation of the shaft 66 by the knob 66 will thereupon effect the disengagement of the clutch member 66 with the clutch member 61 and the parts will be returned to their original positions by the springs 58 and 15 in the manner as previously described.

Should the car remain parked more than an hour and a'half and less than two hours, the auxiliary indicator I6 is moved to register with the portion I65 which indicates that a fifty cent piece must bedeposited in the meter to retum the parts to their normal inoperative positions. Upon the depositing of a coin of this amount in the chute 44, the coin is held between the pairs of disks 51, 58 and 13 and H by reason of the movement of the cam 8| on the disk 13 (Figure 8) and the member 82 of the disk 51 so as to prevent the coin from falling through the space between these disks. Thus, the shaft 46 is locked to the sleeve 69 and upon rotation of the knob 64, the clutch 68 is moved axially away from the clutch .61 to disengage the sleeve 69 from the time shaft l6 in the manner as previously. described.

The cams ll, 19 and 8| on the disks carried by the sleeve member 69 and the complementary members 18, 80 and 82 on the disks on the shaft 49 are of slightly larger width than the particular coin with which they are to be associated, and are positioned relative to each other so as to be successively moved into the path of their respective chutes to preclude a coin of the proper denomination from passing therethrough at different predetermined intervals. 7

The meters are conveniently positioned in a parking area or block and require the services of a patrolman or attendant who should inspect each of them at intervals of about a half an hour or at such times as is represented by the allowable parking limit the meter is set to register.

Should the car he removed from the parking space without payment of the proper fee, the auxiliary indicator may be returned to its initial position by the insertion of a key into the slot 88 to connect the key with the rotatable member 84 that carries the disk 85. Upon the rotation of the disk 85 in a clockwise direction, the cam surface 86 is moved into engagement with the disk 14 (Figure 4) which causes the sleeve 69 to be moved axially so as to disengage the clutch member 68 from the clutch member 61, thus permitting the return of the auxiliary indicator and its associated parts to their original positions. The gears ll, 20, 68 and 6| are each of the same diameter and have the same gear ratio so as to rotate the shaft 3| and the sleeve 69 at the same speed when" the time shaft I6 is connected to them.

It will be seen when the meter is associated with the parking space in which a car is allowed to be parked for a predetermined period, that upon the initial payment of a predetermined fee, means are provided upon the depositing of this fee in the meter within this period, for automatically restoring the main indicator 32 and the auxiliary indicator ill to their initial or 'zero positions and at the same time, disconnecting the meter shaft 3| from the continuously operating time shaft l6. Further, should the car remain overparked, it will be necessary, in order to return the parts to their initial positions and render the meter inoperative, to deposit a coin of the proper denomination as determined by the position of the auxiliary indicator Ill relative to the dial 99 in order to effect a locln'ng engagement by. the coin between the shaft 46 and the sleeve 68 to actuate the parts so that theymay be returned to their normal positions and the meter rendered inoperative. Upon the expiration of the allowable parking period, the main indicator 82 is automatically returned to its original position and at the same time, the sleeve 69 which is independently operable by the time shaft I6 is connected to the latter so as to cause the continued movement of the auxiliary indicator 16 in a clockwise direction to register the overparking period.

As the attendant or policeman visits each of the meters at intervals of about a half anhour, he will be able to determine if a car using the parking space has overparked and if it has, make a notation on his book to that effect so that in the event it is removed without payment of the proper fee, he can report'this fact to the proper authorities.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention shown is merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment and that such changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as fall within the purview of one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:--'

1. A meter of the class described including a continuously operating time shaft, a meter shaft, means for detachably connecting the meter shaft to'the time shaft, an indicator connected to the meter shaft, means for normally maintaining the meter shaft disconnected from the time shaft, a coin control mechanism operatively associated with the meter shaft to connect the same to the time shaft upon the actuation of the controlled mechanism by a coin to initiate the actuation of the indicator, and means at any time within a predetermined period for effecting the release of the meter shaft from the time shaft.

2. A meter of the class described including a continuously operating time shaft, a meter shaft, means for detachably connecting the meter shaft to the time shaft, an indicator connected to the meter shaft, means for normally maintaining the meter shaft disconnected from the time shaft, a coin control mechanism operatively associated with the meter shaft to connect the same to the time shaft upon the actuation of the controlled mechanism by a coin to initiate the actuation of the indicator, means at any time within av predetermined period for effecting the release of the meter shaft from the time shaft, means at the expiration of the predetermined period for,

disconnecting the meter shaft from 'the time shaft, and means for restoring the indicator to its original condition upon the release of the meter shaft from the time shaft.

3. A meter of the class described including a continuously operating time shaft, a meter shaft, means for detachably connecting the meter shaft to the time shaft, a main indicator connected to the metershaft, an auxiliary indicator releasably connected to the main indicator, means for normally rendering the indicators inoperative, means for operatively connecting the meter shaft to the time shaft to initiate the actuation of themain indicator, means connecting the auxiliary indicator to the main indicator when the latter is connected to the time shaft, means for restoring the main indicator to its initial condition at the expiration of a predetermined period, and means automatically connecting the auxiliary inthe predetermined period.

4. A meter of the class described including a actuate the indicators, means at any time within a predetermined period to return the indicators to their initial conditions, and means to restore the main indicator to its initial condition at the expiration of the predetermined period without afiecting the advanced position of the auxiliary indicator.

5. A meter of the class described including a continuously operating time shaft, a meter shaft, means for detachably connecting the meter shaft to the time shaft, a main indicator connected to the meter shaft, an auxiliary indicator arranged to be releasably connected to the main indicator, means for detachably connecting the auxiliary indicator to the time shaft, means for normally rendering the indicators inoperative, means for operatively connecting the meter shaft to the time shaft to initiate the actuation of the main indicator, means connecting the auxiliary indicator to the main indicator during the movement of the latter by the time shaft to simultaneously actuate the indicators, means to disengage the meter shaft from the time shaft after the expiration of a predetermined period, means for returning the main indicator to its initial position when the meter shaft is disengaged from the time shaft without afiecting the advanced position of the auxiliary indicator, and means for connecting the auxiliary indicator to the time shaft upon the release of the meter shaft therefrom.

6. A parking meter of the class described including a continuously operating time shaft, a meter shaft having a main indicator, means for detachably connecting the meter shaft to the time shaft, an auxiliary indicator, means releasably connecting the auxiliary indicator to the main indicator, means for detachably connecting the auxiliary indicator to the time shaft, means for normally maintaining the indicators in their inoperative positions, coin controlled means for operativelybonnecting the meter shaft to the time shaft to initiate the actuation of the main indicator,- means connecting the auxiliary indicator to the main indicator during the movement shaft to cause the uninterrupted actuation of the auxiliary indicator, means for returning the main indicator to its initial position upon. the meter shaft being released from the time shaft,

- and means for disconnecting the auxiliary indicator from the time shaft. 7

7. A parking meter of the class described including a continuously operating time shaft, a meter shaft having a main indicator, means for dicator to the time shaft after the expiration of detachably connecting the meter shaft to the time shaft, an auxiliary indicator, means releasably connecting the auxiliary indicator to the main indicator, means for detachably connecting the auxiliary indicator to the time shaft, means for normally maintaining theindicators in their inoperative positions, coin controlled means for operatively connecting the meter shaft to the time shaft to initiate the actuation of the main indicator, means connecting the auxiliary indicator to the main indicator during the movement of the latter by the time shaft, means for releasing the connection of the meter shaft from the time shaft at the expiration of a predetermined period, means for connecting the auxiliary indicator to the time shaft upon release of the meter shaft to cause the uninterrupted actuation of the auxiliary indicator, means for returning the main indicator to its initial position upon the meter shaft being released from the time shaft, and means operable by coins of different denominations for disconnecting the auxiliary indicator from the time shaft.

8. A parking meter of the class described including a continuously operating time shaft, a meter shaft having a main indicator, means for detachably connecting the meter shaft to the time shaft, an axially movable sleeve on the meter'shaft, said sleeve having an auxiliary indicator associated with the main indicator, means for detachably connecting the sleeve to the time shaft, means for normally rendering the indicators inoperative, a coin controlled mechanism operatively associated with the meter shaft to connect the same to the time shaft upon the actuation of the control mechanism by a coin of the proper denomination, means to prevent the operative connection of said sleeve to the time shaft during a predetermined period of operation of the meter, means connecting the auxiliary indicator to the main indicator when the main indicator is driven by the time shaft, means for returning the main indicator to its original condition at the expiration of a predetermined period, and means for selectively connecting said sleeve to the time shaft at the expiration of the predetermined period.

9. A parking meter of the class described including a continuously operating time shaft, a

meter shaft having a main indicator, means for detachably connecting, the meter shaft to the time shaft, a freely revoluble and axially movable,

sleeve on the meter shaft, said sleeve having an auxiliary indicator associated with the main indicator, means for detachably connecting the sleeve to the time shaft, means for normally rendering the indicators inoperative, a, coin controlled mechanism operatively associated with the meter shaft to connect the same to the time shaft upon the actuation of the control mechanism by a coin of the proper denomination, means to prevent the operative connection of said sleeve to the timeshaft during a predetermined period of operation of the meter, means connecting the auxiliary indicator to the main indicator when the main indicator is driven by the time shaft, means operable by a coin deposited in-the control mechanism within the predetermined period,

for causing the disconnection of the meter shaft from the time shaft, means for restoring the indicators to their initial positions upon the disconnection of the meter shaft from the time shaft within the predetermined period, means for disengaging the meter shaft from the time shaft at the expiration of the predetermined period and for returning the main indicator-to its initial position, and means for moving the sleeve to release the auxiliary indicator from the main indicator when the latter is returned to its initial position and for operatively connecting the sleeve to the time shaft to continue the actuation of the auxiliary indicator.

10. A parking meter of the class described including a continuously operating time shaft, a meter shaft having a main indicator, means for detachably connecting the meter shaft to the time shaft, an auxiliary indicator, means releasably connecting the auxiliary indicator to the main indicator, means for detachably connecting the auxiliary indicator to the time shaft, means for normally maintaining the indicators in their inoperative positions, coin controlled means for operatively connecting the meter shaft to the time shaft to initiate the actuation of the main indicator, means connecting the auxiliary indicator to the main indicator during the movement of the latter by the time shaft, means for releasing the connection of the meter shaft from the time shaft at the expiration of a predetermined period, means for connecting the auxiliary indicator to the time shaft upon release ofthe meter shaft to cause the continuous actuation of the auxiliary indicator, means for returning the main indicator to its initial position upon the meter shaft being released from the time shaft, means operable by coins of different denominations for eflectlng the disengagement of the auxiliary indicator from the time shaft, means upon the release of the auxiliary indicator from the time shaft for returning the dering the indicators inoperative, a coin controlled mechanism operatively associated with the meter shaft to connect the same to the time shaft upon the actuation of the control mechanism by a coin of the proper denomination, means to release the meter shaft from the time shaft at any time within a predetermined period and to return the indicators to their initial position, means to prevent the operative connection of the sleeve to the time shaft during the predetermined period, means connecting the auxiliary indicator, to the main indicator when thelatter is connected to the time shaft, revoluble means associated with the sleeve and arranged to be locked thereto by a coin for releasing the sleeve from the time shaft, and meanseupon the depositing of the coin to lock the revoluble means to the sleeve for effecting the release of the sleeve from the time shaft.

12. A parking meter of the class described including a continuously operating time shaft, a

the meter shaft to the time shaft, a main indicator connected to the meter shaft, a freely revoluble and axial movable sleeve on the meter shaft, an auxiliary indicator connected to said sleeve, means for detachably connecting the sleeve to the time shaft, means for normally renmeter shaft, means for detachably connecting dering the indicators inoperative, a coin controlled mechanism operatively associated with the meter shaft to, connect the same to the time shaft upon the actuation of the control mecha-- nism by a coin of the proper denomination, means to release the meter shaft from the time shaft at any time within a predetermined period and to return the indicators to their initial position, means to prevent the operative connection of the sleeve to the time shaft during the predetermined period, means connecting the auxiliary indicator to the main indicator when the latter is connected to the time shaft, revoluble means associated with the sleeve and arranged to be locked thereto by a coin for releasing the sleeve from the time shaft, means upon the depositing of the coin to lock the revoluble means to the sleeve for effecting the release of the sleeve from the time shaft, and means for returning the sleeve to its initial position when it is released from the time shaft.

13. In a parking meter, a continuously operating shaft, a revoluble member having an indicator, means for releasably connecting said member to the shaft, said member having a series of spaced discs, an actuator extending into the meter and having a series of complementary disposed discs arranged to register with the discs on said member, means for moving the actuator axially, the space between the adjacent discs being arranged to receive coins of different denominations to effect the locking of the member to the actuator, means for depositing a coin into each of the spaces between the adjacent discs, and means when a coin of the proper denomination is positioned in one of the spaces for moving the actuator to effect the release of the member from the shaft.

14. In a parking meter, a continuously operating shaft, a revoluble member having an indicator,-means for releasably connecting said member to the shaft, said member having a series of spaced discs, an actuator extending into the meter and having a series of complementary disposed discs arranged to register with the discs on said member but laterally spaced therefrom, means for moving the actuator axially, the space between the adjacent discs being arranged to receive coins of different denominations to effect the locking of the member to the actuator, and means to impart axial movement to the member to release the same from the operating shaft, the discs on said member having means coacting with complementary means on the discs of the actuator to prevent coins positioned between adjacent discs from falling therethrough at predetermined intervals during the operation of the meter; I

15. In a parking meter, a continuously operat ing shaft, a revoluble member having an indicator, means for releasably connecting said member to the shaft, said member having "a series of spaced discs, 8. revoluble actuator extending into the meter and having a series of complementary disposed discs arranged to register with the discs on said member but laterally spaced therefrom, means for moving the actuator axially, the space between the adjacent discs being arranged to receive coins of different denominations to effect the locking of the member to the actuator, each of the discs on said member having a segmentally disposed cam surface arranged to coact with a projection on a complementary disc on the actuator for preventing a coin positioned between the adjacent discs from falling thereiii If:

for moving the actuator axially, the space be-.

tween the adjacent discs g arranged to receive coins of different denominations to effect the locking of the member to the actuator, each of the discs on said. member having a segmentally disposed cam surface arranged to coact with a projection on a complementary disc on the actuator for preventing a coin positioned between the adjacent discs from falling therethrough at predetermined intervals during the operation of the machine, chutes for conducting coins to the spaces between the discs to efiect the operative connection of the actuator with the revoluble member, and means operable when a coin is positioned between the discs for. moving the actuator to disengage said member from said shaft, the chutes when the discs are axially displaced acting to prevent the lifting of the coin from between the discs.

17. A parking meter of the class described including a continuously operating time shaft, a meter shaft, means for detachably connecting the meter shaft to the time shaft, a main indicator connected to the meter shaft, a freely revoluble and axial movable sleeve on the meter shaft, an auxiliary indicator connected to said sleeve, means for detachably connecting the sleeve to the time shaft, means for normally rendering the indicators inoperative, a coin controlled mechanism operatively associated with the meter shaft to connect the same to the time shaft upon the actuation of the control mechanism by a coin of the proper denomination, means to prevent the operative connection of the sleeve to the time shaft during a predetermined period of operation of the meter, means connecting the auxiliary indicator to the main indicator when the latter is connected to the time shaft, me operable by a coin deposited in the controlled mechanism at any time within the predetermined period for disconnecting the meter shaft from the time shaft, means operable by the meter shaft in the event the proper coin is not deposited in the control mechanism at the expiration of the predetermined period, for disconnecting the meter shaft from the time shaft, and means for connecting the sleeve to the time shaft-when the meter shaft is released therefrom.

18. A parking meter of the class described including a continuously operating time shaft, a meter shaft, means for detachably connecting the meter shaft to the time shaft, a main indicator connected to the meter shaft, a freely revoluble andaxial movable sleeve on the meter shaft, an auxiliary indicator connected to said sleeve, means for detachably connecting the sleeve to the time shaft, means for normally rendering the indicators inoperative, a coin controlled mechanism operatively associated with the. meter shaft to connect the same to the time shaft upon the actuation of the control mecha-- nism by coin of the proper denomination, means to prevent the operative connection of the sleeve to the time shaft during a predetermined period of operation of the meter, means connecting the auxiliary indicator to the main indicator when the latter is connected to the time shaft, means operable by a coin deposited in the controlled mechanism at any time within the predetermined period for disconnecting the meter shaft from the time shaft, means operable by the meter shaft in the event the proper coin is not depositedin the control mechanism at the expiration of the predetermined period for disconnecting the meter shaft from the time shaft, and means operable by the movement of the sleeve for causing the latter to be connected to the time shaft when the meter shaft is released therefrom;

19. A parking meter of the class described including a continuously operating time shaft,a meter shaft, means for detachably connecting themeter shaft to the time shaft, a main indicator connected to the meter shaft, a freely rev-= oluble and axial movable sleeve on the meter shaft, an auxiliary indicator connected to said sleeve, means for detachably connecting the sleeve to the time shaft, means for normally rendering the indicators inoperative, a coin controlled mechanism operatively associated with the meter shaft to connect the same to the time shaft upon the actuation of the control mechanism by coin of the proper denomination, means to prevent the operative connection of the sleeve to the time shaft during a predetermined period of operation of the meter, means connecting the auxiliary indicator to the main indicator when the latter is connected to the time shaft, means operable by a coin deposited in the controlled mechanism at any time within the predetermined period for disconnecting the meter shaft from the time shaft, means operable by the meter shaft in the event the proper coin is not deposited in the control mechanism at the expiretion of the predetermined period for disconnecting the meter shaft from the time shaft, means operable by the movement of the sleeve for causing the latter to be connected to the time shaft the adjacent discs, and means when a coin of the proper denomination is positioned in one of the spaces to move the actuator toefiect the release of the sleeve from the time shaft.

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